Criminal Defense and Civil Forfeiture Blog

Published on: September 21, 2020

Texas Man Charged in Miami for Using False Documents to Obtain $1.2 Million in COVID-19 Relief Funds

Federal prosecutors in Miami have announced charges against a Texas resident accused of using doctored payroll expense documents to fraudulently obtain $1.2 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds meant for businesses impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Uzoamaka Leonard Ohaebosim, 46, was charged with making false statements to a financial institution and bank fraud. He was arrested in Houston and had his first initial appearance in federal court on September 17. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.

Published on: September 18, 2020

NFL Player Charged in Miami Federal Court for Alleged Role in $24 Million COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme

by Brian Silber

Federal prosecutors in Miami have announced charges against a National Football League (NFL) player for his alleged involvement in a fraud scheme that sought more than $24 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans meant to help businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Joshua J. Bellamy, 31, of St. Petersburg was charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.

Published on: September 14, 2020

Miami Prosecutors Charge Owner of Cryptocurrency Firm in $25 Million Diamond Ponzi Scheme

by Brian Silber

Federal prosecutors in Miami have announced charges against the owner of a cryptocurrency firm who allegedly operated a $25 million diamond investment Ponzi scheme.

Jose Angel Aman, 51, of Washington D.C. was charged with wire fraud on September 11. The press did not name an attorney for him.

Published on: September 11, 2020

Minnesota Woman Forced to Buy Back Car Taken Using Asset Forfeiture for Crime She Did Not Commit

by Brian Silber

When Emma Dietrich asked a co-worker to drive her home in her 2013 Chevrolet Camaro, the last thing she was expecting was her vehicle to get seized by Minnesota State Troopers during a traffic stop, but that’s exactly what happened. Troopers arrested the co-worker and seized Dietrich’s vehicle, even though she was not the driver at the time and she was never arrested or charged with a crime.

Published on: September 10, 2020

Mother and Son from San Ramon, CA, Convicted in $2 Million Workers’ Comp Insurance and Tax Fraud Scheme

by Brian Silber

A mother and son who owned and operated two construction businesses in San Ramon, CA, have pleaded guilty to charges stemming from their alleged refusal to pay for workers’ compensation coverage and payroll taxes.

Selina Singh, 57, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, payroll tax fraud, and insurance premium fraud. Her son, 30-year-old Kabir Singh, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit insurance premium fraud and insurance premium fraud. They both also admitted to an aggravated white-collar crime enhancement for a loss exceeding $500,000 through a pattern of alleged criminal activity.